CCAM at the Defense Manufacturing Conference, FIRST Robotics Chesapeake Championships, and America Makes Spring Technical Review & Exchange
At the Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC), CCAM showcased its core capabilities, bringing together industry, academia, and government to accelerate advanced manufacturing for defense applications. Engagements with members like Northrop Grumman and prospective partners such as HII Newport News Shipbuilding focused on aligning priorities and identifying high-impact R&D collaboration opportunities.The conference reinforced alignment between CCAM’s initiatives and federal funding priorities in modernization, automation, and digital manufacturing. Shipbuilding-focused sessions highlighted advancements in automated surface preparation and precision cutting and welding—scalable solutions that improve throughput, safety, and cost efficiency.
At the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship held at Virginia State University, CCAM proudly sponsored an event that brought together students, educators, and industry leaders to celebrate innovation and STEM excellence. CCAM President and CEO John Milton-Benoit delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of investing in opportunities that empower the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. Throughout the event, students showcased their robots and shared insights into their design and development processes, reflecting the creativity, teamwork, and determination that define the future STEM workforce.
The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing participated in the America Makes Spring Technical Review & Exchange (TRX) as part of its continued commitment to advancing additive manufacturing through collaboration and knowledge sharing. By engaging with project teams, industry leaders, and government and academic partners during the event, CCAM gained valuable insight into ongoing America Makes research efforts and emerging trends in metal additive manufacturing. The TRX provided CCAM with an opportunity to exchange best practices, explore transferable technologies, and strengthen relationships across the national AM ecosystem, supporting its mission to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and develop a highly skilled workforce.
